. >> reporter: the move overturns a 1994 ruling banning women from being in comb battle units. this change will allow the military to open up 200,000 combat positions for women in the army and marine infantry units. >> i am incredibly excited. >> the former sergeant wait aid decade for this announcement. she wrote a book "love my rifle more than you." focusing on u.s. army experience in iraq. >> i thought that the military was not at already. i thought there was no chance that women would be allowed to serve in comb battle arms jobs. in of my lifetime. i served alongside men who still didn't think we belonged in the military at all. >> reporter: women make up 14% of the 1.4 million active military personnel. >> if there are women not capable off comb poli accomplis they shouldn't be in the situation where they would put fellow soldiers at risk. >> reporter: military chiefs must report back to defense secretary panetta to explain how they will implement the policy. live outside the pentagon. shomari stone, news 4. >> up next on news 4 -- a clegs of metal, wheels, flying paper. w